Apparatus for subdividing streams of pulp and other liquids.



h H. 0. BEHR & C. F. E. 0. SGHMITT. APPARATUS FOR SUBDIVIDING STREAMS OF PULP AND OTHER LIQUIDS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1911.

1 ,O20,25 1 Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. 0'. BEHR 6: G. F. E. 0. SCHMITT.

APPARATUS FOR SUBDIVIDING STREAMS 0F PULP AND OTHER LIQUIDS. APPLICATION FILED PEB.13, 1011.

1 ,020,25 1 Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

2 flHEETB-SHEBT 2.

,j,1 I 3/ 6 1 /e a l $4 7gd@fi:-

COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH 0..wAsmNuTnN, 11.6.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HANS CHARLES BEI-IR AND CHARLES FRIEDRICH EDUARD OSCAR SCHMITT, OF J OHANNESBURG, TRANSVAAL.

APPARATUS FOR SUBDIVIDING STREAMS OF PULP AND OTHER LIQUIDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Application filed February 13, 1911. Serial No. 608,363.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HANs CHARLES Bur-IR, consulting mechanical engineer, a citizen of the United States, and CHARLES FRIEDRICH EDUARD Oscar: Sormrrrr, mechanical engineer, a subject of the King of Great Britain, both residing at Consolidated Gold Fields Buildings, Johannesburg, Transvaal, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for subdividing Streams of Pulp and other Liquid, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to the subdivision of a stream of liquid into a plurality of divisional streams each or any of which bears a definite volumetric relationship to the primary stream; such relationship being permanent or being capable of variation from time to time.

The invention has especial reference to the subdivision of pulp or other mixed or nonhomogeneous matter, when besides being, as a rule, accurately proportioned volumetrically to the primary stream, each divisional stream is required to retain unchanged the character of the primary stream, 0. g. as regards the proportion of total liquid to total solid and also as regards the characteristics of the solid itself, the individual particles of which may vary in respect of size, specific gravity, mineral contents and otherwise.

Among the particular uses to which the invention is thus applicable, may be mentioned the distribution of pulp to tube mills, shaking tables, hydraulic classifiers, concentrators, and otherwise in metallurgical operations and to the distribution of water or other liquids to a series of cooling towers or for irrigation purposes. It is also of considerable utility for measuring a stream through the agency of a small divisional stream having a fixed volumetric relation ship to the main stream. In the ease of pulp any divisional stream also affords a reliable sample of the main stream, since its character is at all times identical with that of the latter.

Apparatus according to this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure I is a vertical section of one form; Fig. II is an incomplete plan of Fig. I; Fig. III shows the apparatus adapted for measuring or sampling the liquid passing through it.

Referring to Figs. I and II, 1 indicates an outer conical vessel positioned with its axis vertical. The bottom 2 of the vessel sweeps, from its axial point 3, symmetrically in a fair curve to join the side 4 as shown; and said axial point 3 may if desired be elevated as it appears in the draw ing. Within the vessel 1 is a second conical. vessel 5 open at the bottom. Vessels 1 and 5 are spaced comparatively closely so as to form between them a narrow annular chamber (5. The area of the lower part of vessel 5 is additionally contracted by a filling 7, the surface of which is formed as an unbroken curve extending downward to the region of minimum area 8, whence it sweeps outward to join the outer surface of vessel 9 is a launder or the like for feeding pulp into the top of vessel 5. 10 is a level annular overflow lip by way of which pulp is discharged from the annular chamber 6. This lip may be slightly serrated in the known manner while keeping it substan tially level as a whole. Below the lip are arranged open topped receivers 11 corresponding in nmnber to the maximum number of divisional streams required. trally ridged troughs 12 are positioned over the spaces or divisions between adjacent receivers to divert pulp into the latter. Each receiver 11 is provided with two outlets, viz. 13 and 1 1, to the former of which is connected a pipe or the like 15 for conveying the pulp to its destination. The other outlet 14 is arranged to deliver pulp to a common launder 16 whence it may be returned by pump 17 to the feed launder 9. Any suitable device, such as the flap valve 18 is provided whereby either outlet 13, 1 1, may be opened and the other closed.

Vessel 1 is supported by means of three or more bolts 19 having pairs of nuts 20 which engage brackets 21, on the vessel. Similarly vessel 5 is supported by bolts 22 secured to beam 26 of the framework and nuts 23 engaging the brackets Q l. By adjustn'icnt of said nuts, the vessels may individually be leveled with precision; and also the distance between the vessels, that is the width of chamber 6, may be varied. In some cases stirrers or other appropriate means may be used for the purpose of mixing the pulp in the bottom of the apparatus or to obviate settlement and choking of the same at that point. The drawing shows a stirring device for this purpose in which all the bear- Cenings are shielded from the pulp. A stem 25 is suspended from the framework 26 to extend axially into the vessels. A hollow spindle 27 is rotatably mounted upon said stem, by means of the bearings 28 and 29 running respectively upon journals 30, 31, formed onthe stem, which is also provided with a shoulder 32 upon which bearing 28 rests. Spindle 27 is extended into the lower part of the apparatus and is furnished at its ends with stirring arms 33. The lower part of the spindle is blocked or made solid to prevent access of pulp to the bearings.

34: is a pulley for rotating the spindle 27.

In putting the-apparatus into use, the liquid matter is fed continuously into the top of vessel 5, flows downward through the same, and then up through chamber 6 as indicated by the arrows. Overflowing from lip 10, it falls onto the troughs l2 and is so split into the divisional streams, which are taken by the receivers 11. Upon being fed into the top ofvessel 5 the liquid mat ter, hereafter referred to as pulp, is dispersed in a turbulent condition more or less over the whole area thereof; any air bubbles mixed with it being given off. While, considering the whole area, the pulp may be considered to be fairly uniformly distributed, it is nevertheless irregular locally and is unfit-for division at this stage. It now flows steadily downward through the converging circular channel afforded by vessel 5, and is thereby rendered substantially homogeneous. That is to say, while the inner portions of the stream would probably move at difi'erent rates from those farther toward the periphery, and the character of the pulp might vary at all points along a radius of the stream, any narrow annular zone in the cross section of the stream would be of substantially uniform character throughout. Thus, also any sector of the cross section of the stream would be identical in the character of its pulp with any other sector. Such homogeneity is accentuated as the stream narrows down to the point 8 of minimum area owing to the closing in of the stream lines and the increased velocity, which tends to prevent segregation and settlement of the solid matter. Beyond the zone 8 the stream is dispersed symmetrically in all directions from the axis by passing through the symmetrical channel formed between the lower part of vessel 5 and the bottom of vessel 1, and is ultimately spread into a thin sheet flowing upwardly through chamber 6. lVhen the stirrers 33 are employed, they thoroughly mix the pulp during its dispersion,-the narrow space available preventing any segregation,thereby rendering the sheet of pulp in chamber 6 perfectly homogeneous. Substantially the same result occurs when the stirrers are not employed; since in that case there being This method of division, viz. by cutting the freely falling stream, is an important feature of the invention, since not only does it allow of very accurate division volumetrically, but it entirely obviates segregation of the solid contents of the pulp, such as to cause differentiation in character of the divisional streams.

The troughs 12 and receivers 11 are spaced equally or unequally accordingly as the divisional streams are required to be equal in volume or otherwise. When the maximum number of divisional streams is required, all the apertures 13 are kept open and the separate streams pass away through the pipes 15 to their various destinations. When, however, feeding pulp to for instance, tube mills, shaking tables, hydraulic classifiers, concentrators or the like, certain of the streams require to be shut off from time to time while their respective apparatus receives attention. In such case the proper flap valves 18 are thrown over to divert the pulp into the launder 16 whence it is returned to launder 9. The three receivers at the bottom of Fig. II and that at the right hand of Fig. I are shown discharging into launder 16. The expense of raising the diverted pulp being comparatively slight, it will be evident that this arrangement provides a means of adjusting the number of streams which is very simple and effective and requires no skilled supervision. If desired, the pulp diverted into launder 16, instead of being returned to launder 9 may be redivided in the same manner as before and its subdivisions added to divisional streams produced in the first division.

An important advantage of arranging the chamber 6 around vessel 5 as shown, is that the pulp after passing down through vessel 5 rises naturally to the lip 10 and the subdivision is thus eifected with an insignificant loss of head. The stirring device, acting as a centrifugal pump, further reduces the head required. Furthermore the use of a low effective head insures the steady flow of pulp through the apparatus which is very desirable for producing the required condition of homogeneity.

- For the purpose of ascertaining the volume or character of the main stream, use is made of a divisional stream small enough to be readily measured or examined, and bearing if necessary a definite volumetric relationship to the main stream. Fig. Ill. shows the apparatus modified for this purpose. A small receiver -10 having sharply edged sides for accurately cutting the pulp is positioned under lip 10. It is carried by a support 4L1 geared to spindle 27 whereby it is slowly moved in a circular path under lip 10. It discharges by means of spout 42 into a launder 43 provided for the purpose.

44: indicates an annular plate which moves with receiver 40 and serves to direct the normal flow of pulp into the receivers 11.

lVhile the special receiver 40 is shown in connection with the subdividing receivers 11, it may be used by itself when sampling or measurement only of the main stream is required; the liquid not received by it being collected in a single annular launder similar to 16. It will be evident that, knowing the proportion which the width of the receiver 40 bears to the circumference of the stream which it cuts, the volume of the divisional stream formed by such receiver,- which may be ascertained in any appropriate manner,-constitutes a direct measure of the volume of the main stream. For ascertaining the amount or character of the solid constituent of the pulp, the pulp Withdrawn by the receiver 40 is treated in any usual and appropriate manner.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus of the nature specified consisting of co-axial inner and outer conical vessels forming between them an annular chamber, and means for dividing liquid passed through the inner vessel and said annular chamber, substantially as described.

2. Apparatus of the nature specified comprising, co-axial inner and outer vessels providing between them a liquid chamber and a passageway; one of said vessels located above the other to provide for a hydrostatic head, and the lower vessel providing for an overflow; and means associated with said lower vessel for receiving and distributing the liquid overflow, substantially as described.

3. Apparatus of the nature specified consisting of inner and outer conical vessels forming between them an annular chamber and a liquid passageway communicating therewith each of said vessels being supported in a manner to permit adjustment vertically either relatively to one another or together, and means for separately withdrawing portions of the liquid passed through said chamber, substantially as described.

4. Apparatus of the nature specified consisting of a vertically disposed outer conical vessel, an inner conical vessel arranged in the outer vessel and forming an annular chamber therewith and a passageway for permitting liquid to pass symmetrically from the inner vessel into the annular chamber; the outer vessel being provided with an annular lip from which the liquid may How, and means below the lip for splitting the overflow into separate streams and separately receiving said streams, substantially as described.

5. Apparatus of the nature specified consisting of a conical outer vessel, an inner conical vessel arranged in the outer and forming an annular chamber therewith and a passageway for permitting liquid to pass symmetrically from the inner vessel into the annular chamber; the outer vessel being provided with an annular overflow lip, means below the lip for splitting the overflow into separate streams and separately receiving said streams, and means controlling the individual streams whereby same may be conveyed to their destinations or diverted therefrom, substantially as described.

6. Apparatus of the nature specified consisting of a conical outer vessel, an inner conical vessel arranged in the outer vessel and forming an annular chamber therewith and a passageway for permitting liquid to pass symmetrically from the inner vessel into the annular chamber; the outer vessel being provided with an annular overflow lip, means below the lip for splitting the overflow into separate streams and separately receiving said streams, means controlling the individual streams whereby the same may be conveyed to their destinations or diverted therefrom, and means for collecting the diverted streams and returning the same to the inner vessel, substantially as described.

7 Apparatus of the nature specified consisting of a vertically disposed outer conical vessel, an inner conical vessel arranged in the outer vessel and forming an annular chamber therewith and a liquid passageway for permitting liquid to pass symmetrically from the inner vessel into the annular chamber; the outer vessel being provided with an annular overflowrlip, a movable receiver arranged below the lip, means for transferring the receiver around the lip, and a launder for receiving the discharges from the receiver, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HANS CHARLES BEHR. CHARLES FRIEDRICH EDUARD OSCAR SClllllI'll'l.

Vitnesses C. B. HENDERSON, L. F. HELLIER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

